An unvaccinated New Mexico man who lately died was discovered to be contaminated with measles. His death may be the second in an ongoing outbreak that has sickened greater than 160 folks in at the least 9 states.
The official reason for death stays underneath investigation by the New Mexico Workplace of the Medical Investigator, though its laboratories confirmed that the extremely contagious respiratory virus was current within the Lea County man. He didn’t search medical care earlier than his death, and no extra data was launched about his age or id.
The man’s death comes somewhat over every week after Texas well being officers introduced that an unvaccinated school-age youngster died in Gaines County — the primary measles-related death reported in America since 2015.
Measles was declared eradicated within the U.S. in 2000, however declining vaccination charges have led to periodic outbreaks since then, in accordance to the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
Within the wake of the Lea County death, New Mexico’s deputy state epidemiologist urged residents to get the measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccine, calling it “the very best safety towards this critical illness.”
Of the instances reported thus far, 95% have been in unvaccinated folks or folks with an unknown vaccination standing, in accordance to the CDC.
Texas has borne the brunt of the outbreak with 159 instances and 22 hospitalizations reported as of Tuesday. New Mexico’s Lea County, simply throughout Texas’ western border, had reported 10 instances as of Thursday.
Southern California has reported one case in an Orange County toddler who landed at Los Angeles Worldwide Airport on Feb. 19 after journey to Asia.
“Measles is a extremely contagious virus that may trigger extreme sickness comparable to pneumonia, mind swelling and even death, particularly younger children who aren’t protected,” mentioned Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, Orange County well being officer. “In recent times, 25% of recognized measles instances in america have been hospitalized.”
Circumstances have additionally been reported in Alaska, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York Metropolis and Rhode Island, in accordance to the CDC.
The outbreak has proved to be an early take a look at for the newly confirmed secretary of Well being and Human Wervices, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a famous vaccine skeptic.
He drew criticism from some epidemiologists for not strongly urging all People to obtain an MMR vaccine as quickly because the outbreak started in mid-January.
In a Monday assertion, Kennedy mentioned that vaccines “not solely shield particular person kids from measles, but in addition contribute to neighborhood immunity, defending those that are unable to be vaccinated due to medical causes.”
He then mentioned that “by 1960 — earlier than the vaccine’s introduction — enhancements in sanitation and diet had eradicated 98% of measles deaths.” He mentioned that good diet stays “a greatest protection towards most power and infectious diseases” and that the choice to get vaccinated is “a private one.”
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